Constantly rewatching stuff

[cowonthecommon]

When it's down time and I have time to myself (DD was out with her amazing grandparents today), I just rewatch stuff that I've seen before. Find it comforting, but makes me feel really thick. But I feel like I don't have the bandwidth for new 'material'. Watched the BBC Pride & Prejudice for the millionth time. Loved it. But feel thick. Like I'm on a weird loop. Not sure what I'm asking.

I’m working my way through desperate housewives from the beginning. Rewatched Downton recently too. The world and the weather are pretty bleak at the minute and I just don’t feel like watching something gritty or tense. Curling up under a blanket to rewatch a favourite series feels like important self care!

I’ve done this for years too, and I understand your fear OP - it feels like a sort of guilty pleasure. My DH isn’t really into rewatching, so it’s a solo activity for me which is fine and probably increases the comfort. I rewatch Columbo on a constant loop, I adore it. I also go through cycles of rewatching Poirot, Marple and Midsomer Murders. These are my daytime easy-watch things. Late night rewatches for after DH has fallen asleep 🤣 is Seinfeld, Archer, Bob’s Burgers, Arrested Development.
I regularly find new dramas to enjoy, but I identify strongly with the feeling that I often don’t have the bandwidth to try something new. These beloved shows are guaranteed enjoyment.

I also love watching (non-pc) 70s stuff like Carry On, On the Buses and Are You Being Served - reminds me of being young. I take comfort in familiarity.

I love looking at things again. I have several dvds and it's good after a while to say, "Ooo, I'll look at 'Far from the madding crowd' again". Some things I simply never saw on TV and the repeats give us a chance to catch up. I've always liked repeats of things - Mum singing a song over and over because I said, "Gen", and everyone else was up the wall with it !

Like pp I have also watched motherland endless times....I never get fed up of it.

I also love old comedies and rewatch endlessly. Dh thinks I'm mad!

We are currently re-watching the whole of The Sopranos for the 4 or possibly 5th time. It's not a comfort watch exactly but as you know what happens, it's not as tense as it was the first time! Also Detectorists as I appreciate it more every time, Peep Show still makes me laugh when I rewatch as well as does Jack Dee's Lead Balloon. Sometimes you just don't want to start with new characters or new stories.

When I'm not well ( lots of times due to disability) l re watch Call the Midwife.
Vera.. Catherine Cookson Dramas.. and other similar programmes.. nothing wrong at all.

I just started Foyles War again, love that, seen it all the way through several times now.

Its a comfort thing, like reading a favourite book. Im probably in the minority for watching Camp Cretaceous on a loop though I need short episodes for wfh lunches etc.

Just finished Death Comes to Pemberly for about the 6th time. And dont get me started on fave disaster films, The day After Tomorrow and Dantes Peak are watched several times a year.

I'm currently watching To The Manor Born.

Totally agree with the PP who said Detectorists gets better every time. I always notice new things in it, such a rich show.

Love to the manor born!

Also, the first time you see something you don't take in everything on the screen. Really, we need to watch things over and over to get all the expressions etc.

Friends and The office us

A psychologist friend explained this to me a few years ago. Rewatching a TV show or films brings some people comfort, I notice I revisit favourites when life is stressful and it makes sense to me that the familiarity of characters and storylines is the predictability I need during those times.
They also said it can feel like a 'treat' to rewatch as you seek that feeling of enjoyment you experienced first time round.